As the NBA season unfolds, Chicago Bulls fans are once again left wondering what could have been had the team held onto Jimmy Butler. The decision to trade Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017 remains one of the most debated moves in the franchise’s recent history, with many arguing it was a mistake that continues to haunt the Bulls.
A Rising Star in Chicago
Jimmy Butler, drafted by the Bulls in 2011 as the 30th overall pick, quickly proved himself as a cornerstone player. Known for his relentless work ethic, defensive prowess, and clutch scoring, Butler evolved from a role player into an All-Star. By the 2016-17 season, he was averaging 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, earning his third consecutive All-Star nod. His leadership and two-way play made him the face of the franchise, a player capable of carrying the Bulls through the post-Derrick Rose era.
However, tensions reportedly arose between Butler and the Bulls’ front office, as well as with head coach Fred Hoiberg. Concerns about Butler’s intense personality and the team’s direction led to the fateful decision to trade him in June 2017, along with the 16th overall pick (Justin Patton), to Minnesota for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the 7th overall pick (Lauri Markkanen).
The Trade’s Aftermath
At the time, the trade was framed as a move to rebuild the Bulls around younger talent. LaVine, Dunn, and Markkanen were seen as pieces of a new core, but the results have been mixed. LaVine has developed into a high-scoring guard and two-time All-Star, averaging 24.4 points per game in the 2024-25 season so far. Markkanen, before being traded to Utah in 2022, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency and injuries. Dunn, meanwhile, never lived up to expectations in Chicago and has since bounced around the league.
In contrast, Butler’s career has soared since leaving Chicago. After a stint with the Timberwolves, he found a perfect fit with the Miami Heat in 2019. In Miami, Butler has led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances (2020 and 2023) and remains a perennial All-NBA candidate. This season, at age 35, Butler is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, proving he’s still a top-tier star. His leadership and playoff heroics—often dubbed “Playoff Jimmy”—have solidified his reputation as one of the league’s most clutch performers.
Why the Bulls Should Have Kept Butler
The argument for keeping Butler hinges on his ability to elevate a franchise. His two-way dominance and competitive fire could have anchored the Bulls during their rebuilding years. Instead, Chicago has struggled to find an identity, cycling through coaches and rosters while posting only one playoff series win since 2017. Butler’s presence might have attracted other stars to Chicago or at least ensured consistent playoff contention.
Moreover, Butler’s departure marked a shift away from the gritty, defense-first mentality that defined the Bulls’ best teams. Fans and analysts alike lament the loss of a player who embodied the city’s blue-collar ethos. “Jimmy was Chicago,” said longtime Bulls fan Marcus Thompson. “He played with heart, and trading him felt like giving up on the soul of the team.”
The Bulls’ Current Reality
Today’s Bulls, led by LaVine, DeMar DeRozan (acquired in 2021), and Nikola Vučević, are a competitive but flawed team. They sit at 10-12 in the Eastern Conference as of May 8, 2025, with questions lingering about their ceiling. While LaVine has thrived, the return for Butler hasn’t matched the value of a superstar in his prime. The Bulls’ front office, under Artūras Karnišovas, has worked to rebuild, but the team remains a step below the East’s elite.
Meanwhile, Butler continues to shine in Miami, a constant reminder of what the Bulls let slip away. Posts on X echo the sentiment among fans: “Bulls trading Jimmy Butler is still the worst move of the last decade,” one user wrote. Another added, “Imagine Jimmy with this roster. We’d be contenders.”
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Hindsight is 20/20, but the Butler trade underscores a broader issue for the Bulls: a lack of patience with homegrown talent. Trading a 27-year-old All-Star for unproven prospects was a gamble that hasn’t fully paid off. While LaVine and Markkanen have had success, neither has matched Butler’s impact as a leader or playoff performer.
As the Bulls navigate the 2024-25 season, the focus is on building around their current core. But for fans, the “what-ifs” surrounding Jimmy Butler linger. Could he have led Chicago to a championship? Would he have stayed long-term? These questions may never be answered, but one thing is clear: the Bulls should have held onto Jimmy Butler.